FAQ

For amounts of CAD 2,500 and under, we accept all methods of payment, including credit cards (except AMEX). The deadline for payment is two weeks before the date of the procedure (for surgery). For minor procedures (such as gastroscopy/colonoscopy), payment must be made approximately one week before the procedure.

For amounts over CAD 2,500, we only accept a bank draft or direct bank transfer. The amount must be paid, or the bank draft received approximately 4 weeks before the surgery date.

If you or your accompanying person experience symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, etc., we may ask you to complete a Covid test the day before the procedure.

The liquid/preoperative diet is a low-calorie diet prescribed by your bariatric surgeon. The ultimate goal of this diet is to make you lose weight before surgery in order to reduce the risk of complications and the overall recovery time. Generally speaking, the duration of this diet can vary from 1 to 4 weeks. The specifics of the liquid/preoperative diet will be communicated to you during the preoperative interview with your nutritionist.

The goals of this liquid diet

• Decrease the size of the liver

• Lose 5% - 10% of the excess weight before surgery

• To begin making healthy lifestyle changes in order to improve surgical outcomes and increase long-term success rates

As the name implies, the "day before surgery" diet applies only to the day before the operation. The purpose of this diet is to avoid the presence of food residues in the stomach at the time of the surgery. The specifics of the "day before surgery" diet will be communicated to you during the preoperative interview with your nurse.

We have created a checklist (see Surgical Guide) to help you prepare for the day. The important and essential things are on it. It is very important to bring all the usual medication you are taking for the duration of your stay. If you have a CPAP machine, it is essential to have it with you during the surgery. We recommend that you travel light and bring only the essentials with you. Leave valuables/jewelry at home.

The surgery will take place at the Westmount Square Surgical Centre (WSSC) which is located at the following address

1 Westmount Square, Suite C-190

Westmount, Québec

H3Z 2P9
(514) 931-5055

Located in the City of Westmount, Westmount Square is a real estate complex designed by internationally renowned architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

 ​​The Westmount Square Surgery Centre, opened in 2004 in an elegant and serene setting, offers the highest caliber of ambulatory surgical services of. Our two operating rooms and recovery room are unique in Canada and are equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for multi-specialty surgery.

Your recovery from surgery will take place in the surgery center's recovery room for the first night, and then in our Westmount Square convalescent center for the following night.

Your admission time for the day of surgery will be confirmed by email approximately one week prior to surgery. The nurse needs to discuss with all patients on the same day of surgery to schedule surgeries as certain medical conditions require that they be prioritized.

If you have sleep apnea, symptoms may be exacerbated by general anesthesia in the immediate postoperative period. As a result, supplemental oxygen alone may not be sufficient. For your safety, we ask that you bring the CPAP machine with you during your stay as it will be used if your condition requires it, otherwise the surgeon may refuse to perform the surgery.

Most common medications such as those for high blood pressure, depression, hypothyroidism, cholesterol, acid reflux can be continued without problems.

If you are taking medication for diabetes, either insulin or oral medication, we ask that you follow up with your family doctor or endocrinologist, especially during the preoperative liquid diet. Doses may need to be readjusted during this stage.

On the morning of the surgery, the medications to be continued or omitted will be discussed during the preoperative interview with the nurse.

Patients under the age of 16 may be accompanied by a parent or relative.

All patients are welcome to have visits at the recovery center, but only after their first post-operative night. Visiting hours are from 7 AM to 7 PM.

If you live more than 2 hours away from Montreal, unless otherwise advised, we recommend that you stay in the region for a total of 5 days, including the 48-hour stay under our charge.

One of the possible complications after surgery is the possibility of developing of a blood clot (phlebitis) in the limbs and prolonged immobility is an important risk factor. Therefore, for all trips of more than 2 hours, regardless of the type of transportation, we recommend that you take the time to walk every 45 minutes.

In general, the recovery time is about 2 weeks. During this time, light physical activities such as walking, stationary bicycle and treadmill are strongly recommended. It is important to respect your limits, and to resume activities gradually according to your abilities and tolerance. If your work consists of office work, a 2-4 week break from work is expected. If your work is more physical, a 4–6-week break is then given.

A postoperative follow-up by phone with a nurse is scheduled 2 weeks after surgery. Telephone follow-ups with your surgeon are included and scheduled at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-op after your surgery when your blood test results are available. The clinical coordinator will email you the blood test requests for the 3 month, 6 month and 12 month follow-ups. It is recommended that you make an appointment with your family physician or specialist 2 weeks after surgery for a closer follow-up of your health problems and adjustment of medication if necessary. A telephone follow-up with your nutritionist is also planned for up to 3 months postoperatively.

Your family physician must send a request for access to the file by fax, and our clinical coordinator will then send the requested information. You can also contact our clinical coordinator directly by email to make the request.

Reconstructive surgery can be considered only after weight stability (at least 2 years postoperatively). You can then contact the clinical coordinator to make a request.